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Friday, September 12, 2014

Counting with Bean Bags

I am not sure where the inspiration came from, but it's there! I have been having SO MUCH FUN with making rice-bean bags! After making a few, I started to think how fun it would be to have a set with numbers on them. The games you could play with them are endless!

I tried a few prototypes, and then... BRAINSTORM! Use my kids play-do cookie cutters to make the numbers!

It worked great! I used the black felt left over from the Creature Power Suits for the numbers and my quilting puff for tracing them.

Then, I had another brainstorm...what if I had ribbons on them as part of sensory development; and what if the number of ribbons corresponded with the number on the particular bag! Awesome!

Again, super happy with how they turned out. It was totally worth the extra effort to put the ribbons on. I ran out of the the striped ribbon, so I decided to mix in some of the beige ribbon. It actually worked well. It gave more texture and provided a different look.

I was worried making a bag for them out of fleece would be too stretchy; it wouldn't hold up. Felt, on the other hand, is sturdy so I make a bag with a double drawstring on it. You pull the two strings in different directions to cinch it shut; works great!

The bag also doubles as the first of many games that can be had with these. Pick a distance and toss the numbers in; keep stepping back as the numbers get bigger. Who gets the most? My kids made it up, and are loving it!

I am super happy to have found something to do with all the fleece I have. Yeah!! I am linking up with Finish Friday on Crazy Mom Quilts. It's not a quilt, but it's a really fun finish! Can't wait to see what everyone else has been working on.